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How to Stop Gmail XLSX Attachments from Opening in Adobe Acrobat on Android
Question details
The user wants to prevent Excel spreadsheet (XLSX) attachments in Gmail from incorrectly opening in a PDF viewer (Adobe Acrobat) and instead select a proper spreadsheet application.
- Product
- Android OS, Gmail, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Opening an XLSX email attachment from the Gmail app on an Android mobile device.
- Observed behavior
- The XLSX file automatically opens in Adobe Acrobat, which cannot properly display or edit the spreadsheet data, instead of using a compatible spreadsheet application.
Ensure you have a compatible spreadsheet application, such as WPS Office or Microsoft Excel, installed on your Android device before you begin changing the default app settings.
Clear Adobe Acrobat Default Settings and Select a New App
Reset the default file association for Adobe Acrobat in your device settings so you can choose a proper spreadsheet app the next time you open an XLSX file.
Android devices remember which app you selected to open certain file types. If you accidentally tapped 'Always' when opening a file with Adobe Acrobat, Android will continue to route spreadsheets to the PDF viewer. You need to manually clear this preference in your system settings.
Launch the Settings app on your Android device and tap on 'Apps' or 'Applications' to view your installed software.
Scroll through the list of installed applications or use the search bar at the top to find and select 'Adobe Acrobat'.
Tap on 'Set as default' or 'Open by default' on the App info page, then tap the 'Clear defaults' button to remove the file association. If there are toggle switches for supported links, turn them off.
Return to the Gmail app, locate the email containing the spreadsheet, and tap the XLSX attachment again.
An 'Open with' prompt will appear. Choose a compatible spreadsheet app (like WPS Office, Google Sheets, or Microsoft Excel) and tap 'Always' to set it as your new default.
Open and Edit XLSX Email Attachments with WPS Office for Android
WPS Office is a powerful, lightweight, and free mobile app that supports opening and editing spreadsheet files. You can easily set it as your default spreadsheet app to view, edit, and share XLSX attachments directly from Gmail on your Android device.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- 2. Clear previous defaults: Clear the Adobe Acrobat file association defaults in your Android device settings to reset the opening preference.
- 3. Tap the Gmail attachment: Open your Gmail app, navigate to the email with your spreadsheet, and tap on the XLSX attachment.
- 4. Choose WPS Office: When the system prompt appears, select WPS Office from the app list and tap 'Always' to automatically open future spreadsheets with WPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Excel files keep opening in Adobe Acrobat?
This occurs when Adobe Acrobat is accidentally set as the default application for opening spreadsheet file types on your Android device. Android will remember this preference until you manually clear the app defaults in your system settings.
How do I change the default app for opening files on Android?
Go to your Android Settings, select 'Apps', find the app currently opening the file, and tap 'Clear defaults' under the default settings section. The next time you tap that specific file type, Android will prompt you to choose a new default application.
Can I open XLSX files on Android without Microsoft Excel?
Yes, you can use highly compatible alternative office suites like WPS Office or Google Sheets. Both are readily available on the Google Play Store and can seamlessly open, view, and edit Microsoft Excel formats.
What should I do if my phone doesn't prompt me to choose a new app?
If the prompt doesn't appear after clearing defaults, ensure you actually have a compatible spreadsheet application installed on your device. You may also need to restart your Android device or clear the cache of the Gmail app to force the prompt to trigger.
